Phuket Trip

Everyone says about Phuket. It is one of popular place to be visited. Last year around October or November, we got promo ticket which had been informed by my mate, Stefano. Fortunatelly, we got ticket to Phuket just by IDR 550.000 for two ways flight. We have been planning this trip almost for a year. Eventually, the awaited date was coming.

1st day (September 28th, 2014)

We gathered in Airport, most of them used taxi together while I took taxi just by myself. I recently knew some of trip members there such as Husein & Meiyer. The flight took around 3 hours. Honestly, this is my first time going to another country. I didn't feel in different country since their faces look like Indonesia. I guess the name officer in Airport such as Joko, Bambang, Rudi, etc. We got free provider in Airport yet I cannot activate it in my device. So, in Phuket I just relied on wifi.

at Phuket International Airport

In the first night, we walked around Patong, Bangla Road (Popular road where tourist, ladyboy and sexy women are everywhere). I tried to eat Kebab at that night. The price is 100 Bath. Around IDR 30.000 - 40.000 but the price more delicious than I've tried in Jakarta. I also tried Mango Sticky Rice. There was no exact plan at that night, just going through Bangla Road and backed to hotel.

Place where I tried Mango Sticky Rice

Bangla Road

Patong Beach

Kapunkaaaaaa.... Special McD Style

2nd day (September 29th, 2014)

We visited Phi Phi Island. The famous one. When we booked the travel, she said we will go to 5 islands for that day. In fact, we just enjoyed Phi Phi Island and just passed by the other four islands. In the first day, I got interesting experience. In the boat, there were many people from different countries. Most of them Asian such as from India, Taiwan, Korea and so on. But there were 3 sexy women from South Africa. When I saw them with their stunning colour clothes and corn-row hair. I directly talked to them that I love their hair. I said that I have afro hair before and have plan to make it corn row before. Since I work in office, I cannot make it happen. Then, she touched my hair and she said, ya you can make it someday. Your hair type is proper. Then, I took picture with them.

Sexy South African Women

When I sat in my chair, I saw them dance uniquely. I've been stimulated to talk to them again and did dance together. I realized that dance is not easy at all. When I tried, pearl (the african woman) said "Don't pose. It needs attitude. Like give your hand to paparazzi. Do it more SWAG". Ya, both of them so SWAG hahaha And here is the video.

Fortunatelly, Maiyer took video when I asked them to dance together. And here is the behind the scene.

Behind the scene video 

Back to our trip again, we had lunch in Phi Phi Island. The one that I love the most is cold fresh water hahaha the temperature was very hot. And I felt in paradise when the water going through my esophagus. Honestly, I don't really like Phi Phi Island. I think because I expect so much before. In fact, there is no something special. Just Island with many alley like in Tidung Island. And the beach also yaaa, same with other beaches. Nothing really special.

Lunch

Phi Phi Island Photos 

After back from Phi Phi Island, we swam in our hotel first. We met australian guy who can dance like a woman. Then, we walked to Bangla Road again in the night. But we entered on of bar there. Actually it's not such as night club here. There's no DJ, just band. And we spent the night by dancing together. So much fun.

Could you guess which one the australian guy?

Where I am?

Circumstance at the bar

3rd day (September 30th, 2014)

We went to Coral Beach and Maya Beach. We swam for a while in Coral Beach and had lunch in Maya Beach. I love Maya beach more than the others. There are many interesting things to be captured.

at Coral Beach

Underwater Video 

in Maya Beach

Again and again, we always going to swimming pool first before enjoy the night. In that day, we met to the Polish. Sexy mom with her kids. And we run the night as usual, just in Patong but with different activities. I tried the gellato ice cream there.

4th day (October 1st, 2014)

In the last day, we bought some gift to our relatives. I have interesting experience when I want to buy gift. I have budget just for 100 bath for one gift. I search gift within my budget. And finally I see the stainless steel glass with thailand emboss. I ask the seller how much it is. Then she just typed in calculator 1800 bath or 1180 bath. I forget the detail. Then I just shocked with the price. I just keep silent, smile and go to other store. She urged me to bargain. I tried to not even try. Because I know my budget just 100 bath and the price is more than 10 times. But, she asked me again and again "how much do you want?". Eventualy I asked "I guess it just 100 bath". She suddenly asked me with her serious face "Are you okay? I think you are sick. You need a medicine". She is not using high tone, but with serious face and tone. I just defense and said "That's why I don't want to answer, because it's out of my budget. You urge me to bargain." She madly said "How come you think this stuff just for 100 bath?". I just get out to other store still searching the gift.

We go to Airport around 4 p.m and finally say good bye to Phuket. This trip was so hillarious. Act like the tourist, enjoy the beach, try new meals. Thank you guys. See you in another trip.

P.s: if you want to see more beautiful pictures in Phuket, just follow my instagram @nizarland

NIZARLAND

"Where The Land Inspires The World"

Photobooth Lumos Production

Stay hungry and stay foolish. That is quote from Steve Jobs. He said that we shouldn't be satisfied with what we achieved. We need to keep up again and again. At few weeks ago, Lumos Production launched our new business line which is photobooth. We did it in Penang Bistro, Central Park. Personally, I enjoy that job so much.

P.s: If you have any event and need photobooth or just taking pictures or videos, just call me ;)

NIZARLAND

"Where The Land Inspires The World"

Fashion Photography Workshop

Is there one of you interested in fashion photography? If yes, you’ve missed the useful event like this event which was held by Kelas Pagi and Mind Talk. I know this information from my mate. I need to say thank to her because the event got me much knowledge and information. This event was held in Third Eye Space. I love the studio, big and artsy. And when it was started, Advan Matthew as speaker explained what fashion photography is, shared his experiences and gave us some tips. And he is the humble photographer. I hope, I can meet him at the other chance and show my great portfolio in fashion photography. I think, it would be better if I share the pictures then.

Artsy things in studio 

Advan showed us how to do beauty photography

Captured by me

With Advan Matthew

Actually, there was photo competition of street fashion photography. So, there were 5 models and we need to capture their style. But, I failed at that competition hahaha. Never mind, overall I really enjoyed that workshop. I wish I can join the next class from Kelas Pagi Jakarta.

New babies for less than $5. Can't wait to use it soon.

A vintage video recorder

NIZARLAND

"Where The Land Inspires The World"

DECI Engineer/Photographer

Who thinks engineer can't be photographer as well? I am so happy having office mates who have same interest with me. Ya, photography. In couple weeks ago, I headed to Ragunan and did photohunt with them. The event actually just for 2 hours and the attendants just 5 people. But, I feel that was enough as the initial event. We captured animals for sure and didn't forget to capture ourself hahaha. I wish this kind of event can be held regularly, then we can gain our techniques in photography.

I feature the best photograph which were captured by each of us.

Badrul Hilmi

Firdaus Aden

Adityo Pratomo

Rindi Fidriantika

Nizar

DECI Photographers

NIZARLAND

"Where The Land Inspires The World"

TOEFL and GMAT Preparation

Some of you should be familiar with TOEFL, yet still sound strange with GMAT. In this post, I want to share some of my experience regarding two kinds of test. Since, I want to pursue graduate school in US, I need to pass both of tests.

TOEFL

What is the TOEFL? Why should I take that test? What is the difference between TOEFL and IELTS? Actually I had willingness to take TOEFL test when I was excited to apply master degree in Petroleum Institute, Abu Dhabi. But, for several reasons I canceled my plan. I changed it actually. I want to Pursue MBA in US. It still plan, but I am developing my capability to reach that goal.

As we know, TOEFL is standardized test that measure our ability. We can't say "I can english well, or I used to write everything in english, so I have good capability for that". We need to take that test and know how is our score. Is it 120? Is it just 70? etc.

There are two types of TOEFL. A familiar one is TOEFL PBT (Paper Based Test), which has score around 300 until 680. And for TOEFL IBT (Internet Based Test), it has highest score 120. And maybe some of you ask, so which one should I choose? PBT? or IBT?

I highly recommend to choose IBT. Why? Because, actually there are no PBT anymore hahaha. I mean, if you take test from official institution, there is just IBT test for TOEFL. You can visit its website for more detail about price, what kind of section, is there any speaking test? and other detail information.

But, there are still many institutions which conduct TOEFL PBT test such as ILP and others. Maybe you can just take TOEFL PBT test if you want to apply some jobs such as Pertamina. They can receive our PBT score. But, if you want to apply for university, you must take IBT test from official institution, ETS.

Then the other question, do I need to take TOEFL? or IELTS?  Actually it based on university you want to apply. Generally TOEFL is required for universities in US and IELTS for universities in Europe or Australia. But, most of universities can receive either TOEFL or  IELTS. So, it depends on you. You need to take free samples question from both official website and try to solve them. Which one do you think easier? Just take that one. If you ask some of your colleagues. Some of them will answer, TOEFL is easier and the others can be choose IELTS as the easier one. Personally, I choose TOEFL because I want to pursue graduate degree in US, in TOEFL we need to choose the multiple answer instead of fill in the blank in IELTS test. And based on my survey the price for TOEFL is cheaper than IELTS.

GMAT

If you want to take master degree in US, you need to take not only TOEFL or IELTS but also GMAT or GRE. GMAT or GRE is the test to measure your intellegence skill. I can't explain detail about GRE because I do not prepare for that instead of GMAT. Actually it same with language test. If you want to choose GMAT or GRE, you need to check requirements in official website of the university. Based on my research, even for MBA, they require either GMAT or GRE. But based on my chit-chat and browsing, GMAT is generally required for MBA. I don't know what kind of major which need GRE. But, as I know most of universities in US will ask your GMAT or GRE score.

For GMAT, the maximum score is 780. Several top tier b-schools have average GMAT score around 700. In university website, it doesn't state the minimum requirement for GMAT. Eventhough, there is class profile informed about average and range GMAT score of student who accepted in previous year. You can visit GMAT official website to more detail information.

Based on my experience, it not easy at all to get good score in GMAT. The last score I got just 500. I have target above 700. That's why I need to study hard for reaching the target. I took one month preparation with Nick Pascale in Patra Jasa tower. That one is the cheapest that I know for GMAT preparation. The price is IDR 3.000.000  for basic level. If you want to extend in advance level as I know you need to pay for IDR 3.500.000. He taught us with mindblowing idea. He said we can't calculate detail to do GMAT test since we just have limited time. So he gave us framework to answer some types of questions.

If you want to pursue master degree or other occasion which require two kinds of tests, I really recommend you to prepare as soon as possible. I don't say you have to take preparation class you can learn by your own. Each of us has different capability, different style of study and different strategy. Just go on to aspire what we really want. And hopefully we can achieve that together :D

NIZARLAND

"Where The Land Inspires The World"